Dubi Nanda Dhakal, Dean at Humanities and Science Department, TU fa

The Kathmandu Conference on Communication and Media 2024 is being organized by the Central Department of Journalism and Mass Communication (CDJMC) in collaboration with the Kathmandu-based Center for Media Research-Nepal (CMR-Nepal).

This two-day conference aims to foster discourse on communication and media in Nepal and South Asia. It will serve as a regional platform to highlight and promote the works of South Asian and Nepali scholars in communication, media, and journalism. Academics and practitioners from the media and communication field will address critical questions such as "How should media education be designed?"

The conference will delve into pertinent issues related to media and communication, to discover innovative ways to bridge classroom learning with real-world applications. Topics like the coverage of Indian media on South Asian countries beyond India, data-driven media consumer behaviour analysis with media engagement rating systems, the cross-border spread of misinformation in South Asia, and the challenges posed by the age of multichannel and audience fragmentation will be discussed. These discussions are expected to serve as a valuable pathway for the CDJMC, a distinguished department under Tribhuvan University Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.

The event will bring together academics, researchers, media professionals, students, emerging scholars, and communication enthusiasts. Key themes of the conference include combating misinformation in the age of AI, media and corruption issues, making journalism viable, the future of journalism, and the relationship between media and the state. These discussions are anticipated to provide profound insights and pave the way for further research.

The conference also seeks to amplify the scholarly contributions of Nepali and South Asian academics and students. One of its core objectives is to facilitate meaningful and in-depth discussions on pressing issues in media and communication while fostering a collaborative platform for exchanging knowledge and ideas.

I extend my best wishes to the conference, which aims to bridge the gap between theory and practice, foster interdisciplinary collaboration, and build connections among diverse participants.